Woman rescued after breaking ankle in Big Island lava field

Big Island firefighters closed Kalapana Road today to rescue a woman in her early 70s who broke her ankle while hiking across a lava field.

The woman fell about 5:30 p.m. about a mile into the lava field from the end of Kalapana Road, firefighters said.

A fire helicopter lowered two firefighters onto the trail to stabilize the woman, then turned around to pick up more medical supplies. It returned and took the woman to paramedics waiting on Kalapana Road.

Kalapana Road was closed for about 10 minutes while the woman was transferred to paramedics.

Firefighters said the woman had a broken left ankle and facial trauma. She was taken to Hilo Medical Center.